2023 March Madness Predictions: Sweet 16 Expert Picks Against the Spread, NCAA Bracket Odds for Thursday’s Games – CBS Sports

March Madness enters its second weekend with six incredible days of 2023 NCAA tournament action already on the books. We’re in the Sweet 16, and when Friday turns into Saturday, the Elite Eight will have an even chance to fight for the national championship.

Thursday’s action kicks off a two-day bonanza of the game in Round 3, with either some underdogs continuing to thrive, some favorites knocking Cinderella off their coats, or perhaps a mix of both.

First-year Kansas State coach Jerome Tang takes on Michigan State veteran Tom Izzo, UConn looks to continue its upswing against a feisty Arkansas squad, FAU looks to continue their incredible run as the night’s biggest underdog to Tennessee, and UCLA battles Gonzaga in a top-3 seed matchup to complete the four-game roster.

Of course, getting some more skins in the games can help to get you in the tournament spirit (if you’re not already). Below, our CBS Sports experts have shared their insights with picks direct and against the spread for some of the top games on Thursday’s board. Here, too, our expert brackets can help.

While surviving and progressing is clearly the most important thing for most, we care about whether these teams are covering their spreads and we’ve been tracking the season since November to provide our own thoughts on each game.

Stay with CBS Sports for the rest of the month for coverage of the NCAA tournaments until the end of the Final Four. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for Saturday’s opening day of round two.

Odds on Caesars Sportsbook | All times Easter

Sweet 16 predictions, picks

(3) State of Kansas vs. (7) State of Michigan

Thursday, 6:30 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: On top of that, we have to give credit where it’s due: Michigan State was a fabulous story. It played incredibly well to get to this point despite the odds against it. However… this feels like a situation where the wrong team is being favored. Kansas State is playing hot and will have the top two players (Markquis Nowell and Keyontae Johnson) on its side. If I get 2 points on this page? Yes, I just take them. Selection: State of Kansas +2

(4) UConn vs. (8) Arkansas

Thursday, 7:15 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: UConn is my pick to get ahead, but Arkansas is my front-page pick. The Razorbacks have the goods in the backyard – led by Ricky Council IV, Devo Davis and Anthony Black – to give this Huskies team a real boost. Ultimately, I think I’ll fall to the Adama Sanogo side, but if Arkansas plays this for late possession or even pulls off the takedown, it wouldn’t be very surprising. Choice: Arkansas +3.5

(4) Tennessee vs. (9) FAU

Thursday, 9 p.m. | TBS, March Madness Live: Without launch guard Zakai Zeigler, this feels like a point where the volunteers could be vulnerable. The FAU guards are playing at the top of their game at the moment – Johnell Davis took over late against Fairleigh Dickinson in Round 2 – and their tenacity on defense could cause some problems for the undermanned Tennessee backcourt. The vols scurry by, but the owls cover the number. Choice: FAU +5.5

(2) UCLA vs. (3) Gonzaga

Thursday, 9:45 p.m. | CBS, March Madness Live: This line opened at UCLA -1 and was placed at UCLA -2 prior to the tip. Since I was already on Gonzaga’s side, despite the line movement, I double down towards UCLA and take her not only to cover, but to win. Eventually, the loss of defensive end Jaylen Clark will affect UCLA, and big man Adem Bona, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, also remains. Choice: Gonzaga +2